Wales Deanery head elected President of Academy of Medical Educators

Professor Derek Gallen of the Wales Deanery has been elected President of the Academy of Medical Educators, the professional and standard-setting body for clinical teachers.

Professor Gallen has been the Postgraduate Dean for the Wales Deanery (Cardiff's School of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education) since October 2006. As National Director of the UK Foundation Programme and also Chair of COPMED, the UK Council of Postgraduate Medical Deans, Professor Gallen has had a major role in raising the profile and standards of medical education across the UK. He has developed many innovative training schemes for junior doctors in academic medicine and leadership and has been a key supporter of the Academy of Medical Educators since its inception in 2006.

Professor Gallen said: 'I am honoured to have been elected President of the Academy and am looking forward with great enthusiasm to working with the officers, Council and members.

'The future of high quality patient care depends on first-rate clinical teaching. Tomorrow's doctors need a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and professional attitudes on which they can base a lifetime of practice in a high-pressured and rapidly changing environment. As President, I will work to ensure that trainers and teachers of medical students and doctors are given the time, support and encouragement to develop professional excellence in this important area of clinical education.'

Previously, Professor Gallen was Postgraduate Dean in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR) Healthcare Workforce Deanery from 2003 - 2006. He was the GP Director in the Oxford Deanery and a family doctor in Northamptonshire for 15 years.

Since 2004 Professor Gallen has been on secondment to the national Modernising Medical Careers group as Foundation Programme adviser, with particular responsibility for Foundation recruitment.